Why a Church Isn't the Only Place to Get Married ?
I have conducted wedding ceremonies in parks, gardens, banquet
halls, on riverboats, on mountain overlooks, at football stadiums, in
historical chapels, in cathedrals, and even in a couple of night clubs.
My expectation is always that God will be present and He has never
failed me.
When you are planning your wedding, there are several factors that you might take into consideration. One of those factors is family expectations. However, with the diversity that has developed in the last 50 years within the extended family, it usually is not possible to please everyone. So, the solution will probably be: "To thine own self be true."
If you and your fiance have two different perspectives on faith, then it will probably be best to find a venue that is very meaningful to both of you and focus your energy on finding an officiant who can provide a ceremony acceptable to both of you.
Finding an appropriate minister or rabbi or priest will give you better memories of your marriage ceremony than trying to comply with the more rigid expectations of relatives.
There are many reasons why couples cannot be married in a church. If one or both are not active in a local church, the requirements for non-members may be too stringent, and therefore it is better to look into other options. Or, perhaps your church has strict requirements about divorce and remarriage. Whatever the reason, there is no need to feel like having your wedding ceremony in a location other than a church makes your marriage second rate.
What is the reason for a public wedding before family and friends? Making a formal, public commitment to each other, in the presence of witnesses, family and friend, and in the presence of God, strengthens the bond of marriage. It is your commitment to each other, honoring God and your family, which marries you.
There was a marriage ceremony years ago in a Planetarium.
The groom contacted me and asked if we could have the ceremony there after we all watched the Planetarium show. I'm not sure who was more star struck, but there was a connection made with the vastness of God's creation. It made a memorable and unique ceremony.
Second marriages are frequently done differently, and in different types of locations. This is in part, perhaps, a conscious effort to not duplicate the first wedding experience of the bride and/or groom.
This is perhaps an excellent idea, accelerating the understanding that a new beginning should really be a new beginning.
When you are planning your wedding, there are several factors that you might take into consideration. One of those factors is family expectations. However, with the diversity that has developed in the last 50 years within the extended family, it usually is not possible to please everyone. So, the solution will probably be: "To thine own self be true."
If you and your fiance have two different perspectives on faith, then it will probably be best to find a venue that is very meaningful to both of you and focus your energy on finding an officiant who can provide a ceremony acceptable to both of you.
Finding an appropriate minister or rabbi or priest will give you better memories of your marriage ceremony than trying to comply with the more rigid expectations of relatives.
There are many reasons why couples cannot be married in a church. If one or both are not active in a local church, the requirements for non-members may be too stringent, and therefore it is better to look into other options. Or, perhaps your church has strict requirements about divorce and remarriage. Whatever the reason, there is no need to feel like having your wedding ceremony in a location other than a church makes your marriage second rate.
What is the reason for a public wedding before family and friends? Making a formal, public commitment to each other, in the presence of witnesses, family and friend, and in the presence of God, strengthens the bond of marriage. It is your commitment to each other, honoring God and your family, which marries you.
There was a marriage ceremony years ago in a Planetarium.
The groom contacted me and asked if we could have the ceremony there after we all watched the Planetarium show. I'm not sure who was more star struck, but there was a connection made with the vastness of God's creation. It made a memorable and unique ceremony.
Second marriages are frequently done differently, and in different types of locations. This is in part, perhaps, a conscious effort to not duplicate the first wedding experience of the bride and/or groom.
This is perhaps an excellent idea, accelerating the understanding that a new beginning should really be a new beginning.
Rev. Dan Jenkins has officiated more than 550 marriage ceremonies
in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Georgia and Texas. His trademark
is: "Begin your marriage with Heaven's Touch (tm)", and that is the name
of his wedding ministry.
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